Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba Hands over Office to Successor

Maj. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba (left) hands over the instruments of command to the incoming Commander SFC, Col Don Nabasa on Friday in Entebbe

The Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations and outgoing commander of the Special Forces, Maj. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba on Friday afternoon handed over command of the elite UPDF unit to Col. Don Nabasa, who will oversee the office in an acting capacity.

Maj. Gen. Kainerugaba was at the helm of the Special Forces Command for a period spanning seven years from 2010, until the recent changes announced a fortnight ago by President Yoweri Museveni, also the Commander in Chief, that shook up the hierarchy of the UPDF leadership.

“I’m very happy for my time in command of the Special Forces. We have achieved a lot, but we cannot afford to rest on our laurels yet. I thank you for your cooperation and support and also ask you to extend the same spirit to my successor,” remarked Gen. Kainerugaba in his address to the Special Forces Command officers.

Major General Muhoozi Kainerugaba reads out his hand over report

UPDF historical, Hon. Gen. Elly Tumwine, was the presiding general at the handover and takeover function. The newly appointed UPDF Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. David Muhoozi, the freshly appointed commander of the Air force, Maj. Gen. Charles Lutaaya and the Air Defense Commander, Maj. Gen. Gavas Mugyenyi were among the other high ranking army chiefs that graced the event.

Gen. Tumwine said he was happy to see the continuity of leadership in the UPDF, and was grateful to witness these happy moments. “I can assure you that as new leaders, the work you have ahead of you is not greater than the power behind you; of God, the leadership, your subordinates and fellow countrymen,” said Gen. Elly Tumwine.

The Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. David Muhoozi and Maj. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba arrive at 10 Marines Battalion headquarters Entebbe for the handover and takeover function of the SFC Command

The Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. David Muhoozi thanked Maj. Gen. Kainerugaba for a job well done. “I applaud Gen. Kainerugaba for enhancing and establishing a mature Special Forces Command that he now leaves behind. I have no doubt that Col. Don Nabasa will lead and lead well. We have enough senior people around to help us remain on course through guidance,” said Gen. David Muhoozi.

Gen. Kainerugaba read his handover report to the attentive audience, and enumerated various achievements and successes that were registered by the command under his stewardship. These include major infrastructure projects that greatly improved the accommodation and welfare of the force, as well as training and equipping that has transformed the Special Forces Command into a formidable formation of the defense forces.

Col. Don Nabasa in his acceptance speech praised his predecessor for the great mentorship, and his dedication and commitment to transform the Special Forces into the lethal and elite unit that it is today.

Group photo: The Generals and Special Forces Command Officers pose in a group photograph at the end of the function. Gen. Elly Tumwine (centre in sun glasses) presided over the function

Gen. Tumwine said he was gratified that younger officers who are able were now coming through the ranks to assume responsibility of the army leadership, which he said was one of the core missions of the NRA/NRM revolution. He encouraged the officers to have faith and not to fear challenges because they had the requisite backing of the appointing authority, senior leaders their subordinates and the people of Uganda.